I set out on this my 'Great Journey' with a full rucksack of suitable female clothing for all eventualities, weathers and occasions, suitable foot-wear (not 5" Jimmy Choos), toiletries and a somewhat naive but strong sense of purpose and direction. It started with a week's solo walk across the North Country, the "Cleveland Way": no big deal for a Swiss Registered High Mountain Guide, I thought. How utterly wrong I was! I frankly have no real idea what triggered my need to pursue the lifelong question of who exactly I was. I can only think that life is controlled in the same way as the 'biscuit' one pushed into old-fashioned washing machines: once inserted it undertoook its progress without any hope of changing the programme.
I joined the Gender Society and the Beaumont Society, but never had the nerve to chat on this site (still haven't), nor attend any meet-ups at first. What did I discover? There were other people just like me, and rather a lot of them! The information available here is 'second to none', and it greatly enabled the start of my long journey.
The other Society 'held and still holds' a bi-annual meet-up and theme-dressed dinner in Harrogate. This was to be my first ever appearance in public as me. I have lived alone for twenty-six years: always Hannah behind the closed doors of my homes and my male self outdoors and in the work-place. I arrived on the Thursday lunch-time: sat in the car for an hour and a half listening to the only opera written in Italian by Romeau. At its finale I had made my decision to write off the fees for the four days, return home and resume my previous life. I did not notice the four ladies sat having afternoon tea near reception: Kay, the President, Irene her wife and co-ordinator of the weekend, Becky and one of the co-ordinators of the Gender Society. My sole reason for entering the hotel in drab was to pursue an increasingly urgent comfort visit to the gents, and then home. As I returned and stepped down from reception, Irene got up, blocked my exit and escape route and said "you're not thinking of going home are you?". I replied yes . "No you're not, you have friends here". The rest is history. I had no idea what this 'Passage of Rights' would entail and enable: how finding myself would give me real happiness and disperse the depression of my Dysphoria for ever. It is, however, a double-edged sword.
Meeting an influential member of this group on the occasion of my first appearance as Hannah, enabled a great deal: she persuaded me to dress en-femme on the Saturday and to accompany her and Becky (Regional Representative) on a walk round Harrogate, with coffee and cakes in Marks and Spencers. Six months later she organised a meet-up in Torquay, where I met the 'love of my life'; but that is another and strictly private story.
One of my few ambitions is to repeat the Cleveland Way weeks walk in a skirt and not Rohan outdoor trousers: then to enter new territory in a skirt and do the 'Pennine Way'.
Part Two: includes my personal pathway of the last five years, treatment options, beurocratic hurdles and advice as to the best safest and most direct way to achieve GRS and a GRC. Don't, forbid, do what I did and simply forget to pack a head lamp, spare batteries, map and compass, girls..!!

I set out on this my 'Great Journey' with a full rucksack of suitable female clothing for all eventualities, weathers and occasions, suitable foot-wear (not 5" Jimmy Choos), toiletries and a somewhat naive but strong sense of purpose and direction. It started with a week's solo walk across the North Country, the "Cleveland Way": no big deal for a Swiss Registered High Mountain Guide, I thought. How utterly wrong I was! I frankly have no real idea what triggered my need to pursue the lifelong question of who exactly I was. I can only think that life is controlled in the same way as the 'biscuit' one pushed into old-fashioned washing machines: once inserted it undertoook its progress without any hope of changing the programme.
I joined the Gender Society and the Beaumont Society, but never had the nerve to chat on this site (still haven't), nor attend any meet-ups at first. What did I discover? There were other people just like me, and rather a lot of them! The information available here is 'second to none', and it greatly enabled the start of my long journey.
The other Society 'held and still holds' a bi-annual meet-up and theme-dressed dinner in Harrogate. This was to be my first ever appearance in public as me. I have lived alone for twenty-six years: always Hannah behind the closed doors of my homes and my male self outdoors and in the work-place. I arrived on the Thursday lunch-time: sat in the car for an hour and a half listening to the only opera written in Italian by Romeau. At its finale I had made my decision to write off the fees for the four days, return home and resume my previous life. I did not notice the four ladies sat having afternoon tea near reception: Kay, the President, Irene her wife and co-ordinator of the weekend, Becky and one of the co-ordinators of the Gender Society. My sole reason for entering the hotel in drab was to pursue an increasingly urgent comfort visit to the gents, and then home. As I returned and stepped down from reception, Irene got up, blocked my exit and escape route and said "you're not thinking of going home are you?". I replied yes . "No you're not, you have friends here". The rest is history. I had no idea what this 'Passage of Rights' would entail and enable: how finding myself would give me real happiness and disperse the depression of my Dysphoria for ever. It is, however, a double-edged sword.
Meeting an influential member of this group on the occasion of my first appearance as Hannah, enabled a great deal: she persuaded me to dress en-femme on the Saturday and to accompany her and Becky (Regional Representative) on a walk round Harrogate, with coffee and cakes in Marks and Spencers. Six months later she organised a meet-up in Torquay, where I met the 'love of my life'; but that is another and strictly private story.
One of my few ambitions is to repeat the Cleveland Way weeks walk in a skirt and not Rohan outdoor trousers: then to enter new territory in a skirt and do the 'Pennine Way'.
Part Two: includes my personal pathway of the last five years, treatment options, beurocratic hurdles and advice as to the best safest and most direct way to achieve GRS and a GRC. Don't, forbid, do what I did and simply forget to pack a head lamp, spare batteries, map and compass, girls..!!

UK news-print (Daily Fail etc.) and the BBC are currently full of far less than well-intentioned advice from self-appointed and deluded 'nuts' (frequently American and less so, Australian) who promote 'horse-medicine cures' for Gender Dysphoria whilst in 'the childhood phase'. Christian couples are busy withdrawing their children from schools which allow boys to wear dresses; but, strangely, not those who allow girls to wear trousers, shirts and ties. They should withdraw their daughters immediately from Brownies and Girl-guides Associations now that trans-boys are authorised to join.
The buzz word over here this last week has been 'tolerate', whatever that implies and or conjures up. The sudden appearance of this uninvited, disparate and unauthorised placatory movement disturbs me somewhat. It has overtones of the Salvation Army, who despise us, praying for our eternal damnation and not our redemption - God bless them (in my forgiving prayers). We have nothing whatsoever to tolerate in our gender identity; and, are merely normal and usually honest, hard working and hopefully healthy citizens who simply wish to just get on with our lives as best we can, and; without 'lip-service' misplaced and mis-directed 'tolerance', which in my mind's eye smacks of equally misguided false kindness.
When I was a small boy and believed in Father Christmas (I still do in a way), on each birthday I was asked to make a wish; and, it was always "Please God, when I wake up tomorrow make me a girl". I dreamed endlessly of wearing dresses to equate with my gender identity. Now that I hug myself occasionally, as I clutch my female passport and female driving licence, I am inevitably wearing trousers or leggings and trainers, just like the rest of the female population: dresses are merely for rather special occasions. Funny old world!
With that, rant over, I "rest my case Milord".

UK news-print (Daily Fail etc.) and the BBC are currently full of far less than well-intentioned advice from self-appointed and deluded 'nuts' (frequently American and less so, Australian) who promote 'horse-medicine cures' for Gender Dysphoria whilst in 'the childhood phase'. Christian couples are busy withdrawing their children from schools which allow boys to wear dresses; but, strangely, not those who allow girls to wear trousers, shirts and ties. They should withdraw their daughters immediately from Brownies and Girl-guides Associations now that trans-boys are authorised to join.
The buzz word over here this last week has been 'tolerate', whatever that implies and or conjures up. The sudden appearance of this uninvited, disparate and unauthorised placatory movement disturbs me somewhat. It has overtones of the Salvation Army, who despise us, praying for our eternal damnation and not our redemption - God bless them (in my forgiving prayers). We have nothing whatsoever to tolerate in our gender identity; and, are merely normal and usually honest, hard working and hopefully healthy citizens who simply wish to just get on with our lives as best we can, and; without 'lip-service' misplaced and mis-directed 'tolerance', which in my mind's eye smacks of equally misguided false kindness.
When I was a small boy and believed in Father Christmas (I still do in a way), on each birthday I was asked to make a wish; and, it was always "Please God, when I wake up tomorrow make me a girl". I dreamed endlessly of wearing dresses to equate with my gender identity. Now that I hug myself occasionally, as I clutch my female passport and female driving licence, I am inevitably wearing trousers or leggings and trainers, just like the rest of the female population: dresses are merely for rather special occasions. Funny old world!
With that, rant over, I "rest my case Milord".

Apparently a BBC documentary is to be shown tomorow which degrades Transgender Individuald, with particular reference to transgender Children.
The 'in-house expert featured is Kenneth Zucker, a Canadian psychologist with a contraversial approach to transgender children leading to his dismissal after running a Toronto Identity clinic (Canada's largest child gender clinic) in the Centre ror Addiction and Mental Health for over 30 years. Zucher opposes the widely favoured 'affirmative approach' and disaproves of parents allowing children with gender dysphoria to live as their chosen sex
His unconventional views in present society supports the misconception that trans children are mentally disturbed and that appropriate treatment will cure them.
Zucher's 'preaching' appears to be that of the 'curing' of transgender status. He appears convinced that these children have unappreciated underlying mental health and psychological issues; and a highly critical external review revealed that his clinic encouraged parents of trans children to 'limit cross gender behaviour'.
Zucher's reply to his critics apparently was that his sacking as a considered recognised authority on Childhood gender dysphoria was due to the politicisation of transgender issues, and challenging the gender affirmative approach.
His earlier statements stated that his goal was "lowering the odds that as such a kid gets older he or she will move into adolescence feeling so uncomfortable about their gender identity that they think that it would be better to live as the other gender ". In the BBC documentary he denies that he ahd practiced conversion therapy and calls his approach 'develomentally informed therapy.
In 1990 he spoke out in favour of discouraging children to be gay because, " a homosexual lifestyle in a basically unaccepting culture simply creates unnecessary social difficulties".
I, for one, will not be watching tomorrow.

Apparently a BBC documentary is to be shown tomorow which degrades Transgender Individuald, with particular reference to transgender Children.
The 'in-house expert featured is Kenneth Zucker, a Canadian psychologist with a contraversial approach to transgender children leading to his dismissal after running a Toronto Identity clinic (Canada's largest child gender clinic) in the Centre ror Addiction and Mental Health for over 30 years. Zucher opposes the widely favoured 'affirmative approach' and disaproves of parents allowing children with gender dysphoria to live as their chosen sex
His unconventional views in present society supports the misconception that trans children are mentally disturbed and that appropriate treatment will cure them.
Zucher's 'preaching' appears to be that of the 'curing' of transgender status. He appears convinced that these children have unappreciated underlying mental health and psychological issues; and a highly critical external review revealed that his clinic encouraged parents of trans children to 'limit cross gender behaviour'.
Zucher's reply to his critics apparently was that his sacking as a considered recognised authority on Childhood gender dysphoria was due to the politicisation of transgender issues, and challenging the gender affirmative approach.
His earlier statements stated that his goal was "lowering the odds that as such a kid gets older he or she will move into adolescence feeling so uncomfortable about their gender identity that they think that it would be better to live as the other gender ". In the BBC documentary he denies that he ahd practiced conversion therapy and calls his approach 'develomentally informed therapy.
In 1990 he spoke out in favour of discouraging children to be gay because, " a homosexual lifestyle in a basically unaccepting culture simply creates unnecessary social difficulties".
I, for one, will not be watching tomorrow.

I have frequently been asked what i think about using GP online services for Thansgender persons awaiting the long-drawn out first Gender Identity Clinic appointment.
Internet enabled private GP services tend to cost £40 to £60 per appointment
All private suppliers say they are taking pressure off the NHS; but have had no impact on the rapidly escalating waiting times for GIC appointments.
The GP contract prohibits seeing ones own patients privately, but not those registered with another practice.
Control of sex hormone therapy requires baseline blood and general-health checks. After three months, the blood tests (including liver function tests) need repeating and the dosage of hormones titrated until acceptable levels are achieved. On-line consultations do not include blood tests.
Some medics call this trpe of 'treatment' - "Martini Medicine". Beware the inevitable hang-over, and/or genuine risk of liver damage.

I have frequently been asked what i think about using GP online services for Thansgender persons awaiting the long-drawn out first Gender Identity Clinic appointment.
Internet enabled private GP services tend to cost £40 to £60 per appointment
All private suppliers say they are taking pressure off the NHS; but have had no impact on the rapidly escalating waiting times for GIC appointments.
The GP contract prohibits seeing ones own patients privately, but not those registered with another practice.
Control of sex hormone therapy requires baseline blood and general-health checks. After three months, the blood tests (including liver function tests) need repeating and the dosage of hormones titrated until acceptable levels are achieved. On-line consultations do not include blood tests.
Some medics call this trpe of 'treatment' - "Martini Medicine". Beware the inevitable hang-over, and/or genuine risk of liver damage.

Due at the Day of Remembrance today (as every year), 20th November; I made a last minute decision not to go; and, to return home remembering those murdered in the last year, and all those who may have gone before.
SHOCK, HORROR !!!
I learned, on Facebook, as I sat alone enjoying afternoon tea in the Richmond Tea-Rooms, of the last minute ( 'on the spur of the moment" quote ) decision of somebody from way across the country (******1) to attend the Sackville Gardens for the TDoR service at 4.30pm. She desired to 'meet up' with any friends who may also happen to be in the area.
I should have brasened it out; but, naturally a coward and still wounded, I fled to Piccadilly (3 minutes away), as there was no hope that I could avoid her in 'The Gardens', On Bar or at a meal in 'Villaggios or Velvet: Latte coffee in Carluccios and the Chester via Altrincham train home. At home, I discovered (again on Facebook) that my sole living cousin, was dining in the Northern Sector at 6pm, with her regular girl-friends. Well, you can't win them all!
SPARKLE WEEKEND:
Sunday afternoon, 10th July, North Cheshire: 'The Tale of the Missing Car-keys".
******1 and my sister not so much 'fell out as 'took a healthy dislike to each other', after their initial and final meeting, on spending a weekend together. I suddenly came to realise, when the keys 'turned up with a magician's flourish, what had previously been apparent and obvious to all others, but not untill that day to me.
I later promised a concerned sister that i would distance myself from ******1, and not turn up at the forthcoming bi-annual meeting in early August. I never break promises; but, I fatally did, on this regrettable occasion.
GIRLS AWAY-WEEKEND: Sunday afternoon, 14th August, North Yorkshire
One of our committee
I have been asked to speak to you by ******1, who left before lunch. I do not intend to make any judgement or to take sides in this matter, as I am a friend of both of you. However, I am happy to talk with you at any time in the future, as an impartial friend, on this matter, if you so wish.
She has had a long talk with me this morning; with regard to your greatly distressing and upsetting her here on Saturday, and effectively your having completely spoiled her weekend. She asked me to inform you that she has reached a decision about you and for me to inform you:-
1) That she has absolutely no feelings for you whatsoever, nor ever had
2) She never ever wants you to contact her again, under any circumstances and by any means whatsoever
3) And, she wishes you to know that if you do contact her, she will be very, very angry.
When I had composed myself, I cleaned up my tear-stained face; collected my lap-top from my room, and strolled into the reception area of the hotel: I joined my great friend ****e working on her lap-top. When I reached my Facebook page, there was an 03.47 Sunday morning post by ******1. I asked if ****e could spare the time to read it: she did, paused and said
"You've had a very lucky escape!"
It was far too painful to potentially 'accidentally' meet her today: so, as well as breaking my heart, she spoils my annual Manchester TDoR Sunday, spoils my evening arrangements and invades my territory! I am sure there are TDoR Memorial Services nearer to Suffolk!
Oh: my crime.... well I am sure you can guess what 'total' surprise (to her alone) she forced out of me; after she was informed by an unknown third party that I had just gone in to Town, in tears, with ****e on her mobility scooter, at noon on the Saturday (co-incidentally the "sddest day of the year" in the Jewish calendar). She set off down the hill from our hotel, sought me out and met me as I was returning. On our subsequent lunch-time walk to Hoopers tea=rooms, I fatally dropped my guard and told her how I felt, that fateful and dreadful Saturday in August, 2016.

Due at the Day of Remembrance today (as every year), 20th November; I made a last minute decision not to go; and, to return home remembering those murdered in the last year, and all those who may have gone before.
SHOCK, HORROR !!!
I learned, on Facebook, as I sat alone enjoying afternoon tea in the Richmond Tea-Rooms, of the last minute ( 'on the spur of the moment" quote ) decision of somebody from way across the country (******1) to attend the Sackville Gardens for the TDoR service at 4.30pm. She desired to 'meet up' with any friends who may also happen to be in the area.
I should have brasened it out; but, naturally a coward and still wounded, I fled to Piccadilly (3 minutes away), as there was no hope that I could avoid her in 'The Gardens', On Bar or at a meal in 'Villaggios or Velvet: Latte coffee in Carluccios and the Chester via Altrincham train home. At home, I discovered (again on Facebook) that my sole living cousin, was dining in the Northern Sector at 6pm, with her regular girl-friends. Well, you can't win them all!
SPARKLE WEEKEND:
Sunday afternoon, 10th July, North Cheshire: 'The Tale of the Missing Car-keys".
******1 and my sister not so much 'fell out as 'took a healthy dislike to each other', after their initial and final meeting, on spending a weekend together. I suddenly came to realise, when the keys 'turned up with a magician's flourish, what had previously been apparent and obvious to all others, but not untill that day to me.
I later promised a concerned sister that i would distance myself from ******1, and not turn up at the forthcoming bi-annual meeting in early August. I never break promises; but, I fatally did, on this regrettable occasion.
GIRLS AWAY-WEEKEND: Sunday afternoon, 14th August, North Yorkshire
One of our committee
I have been asked to speak to you by ******1, who left before lunch. I do not intend to make any judgement or to take sides in this matter, as I am a friend of both of you. However, I am happy to talk with you at any time in the future, as an impartial friend, on this matter, if you so wish.
She has had a long talk with me this morning; with regard to your greatly distressing and upsetting her here on Saturday, and effectively your having completely spoiled her weekend. She asked me to inform you that she has reached a decision about you and for me to inform you:-
1) That she has absolutely no feelings for you whatsoever, nor ever had
2) She never ever wants you to contact her again, under any circumstances and by any means whatsoever
3) And, she wishes you to know that if you do contact her, she will be very, very angry.
When I had composed myself, I cleaned up my tear-stained face; collected my lap-top from my room, and strolled into the reception area of the hotel: I joined my great friend ****e working on her lap-top. When I reached my Facebook page, there was an 03.47 Sunday morning post by ******1. I asked if ****e could spare the time to read it: she did, paused and said
"You've had a very lucky escape!"
It was far too painful to potentially 'accidentally' meet her today: so, as well as breaking my heart, she spoils my annual Manchester TDoR Sunday, spoils my evening arrangements and invades my territory! I am sure there are TDoR Memorial Services nearer to Suffolk!
Oh: my crime.... well I am sure you can guess what 'total' surprise (to her alone) she forced out of me; after she was informed by an unknown third party that I had just gone in to Town, in tears, with ****e on her mobility scooter, at noon on the Saturday (co-incidentally the "sddest day of the year" in the Jewish calendar). She set off down the hill from our hotel, sought me out and met me as I was returning. On our subsequent lunch-time walk to Hoopers tea=rooms, I fatally dropped my guard and told her how I felt, that fateful and dreadful Saturday in August, 2016.

It is unfortunate that the early researchers tried to popularise their work, and presumably themselves, with this title ( Patricia A Jacobs et al in Edinburgh, 1959 and several articles in the Lancet: 2 January 1960 and 17 September)
Bernard Lennox, Principal advisor on medical terms to the Oxford English Dictionary chose to publish this erronious and misleading word to describe XXX females.
Triple X Syndrome occurs in 1 in 1000 girls.
It is NOT inherited.
The majority are never diagnosed.
Some have XX cells and XXX cells. This is called a mosaic.
Observable physical anomalies: rare except for 'taller than average and sisters'.
So few XXX females are identified that effects are not easily identified and samples may not be significant: characteristics may include:-
No effects or extremely mild
Stature - tall (accelerated growth to puberty), small head, epicanthic (eyelid) folds, speech learning difficulties (dyslexia)
Potential risks:-
Auditory processing disorders, delayed language development, motor co-ordination problems, scoliosis
Poor school academic performance, psychological and personality problems
Early ovarian failure, despite normal fertility
Anxiety, shyness and low self-esteem
Benificial aids:
Stable and happy home environment
Leaving school
Physical tests:
blood test confirms XXX, EEG abnormalities

It is unfortunate that the early researchers tried to popularise their work, and presumably themselves, with this title ( Patricia A Jacobs et al in Edinburgh, 1959 and several articles in the Lancet: 2 January 1960 and 17 September)
Bernard Lennox, Principal advisor on medical terms to the Oxford English Dictionary chose to publish this erronious and misleading word to describe XXX females.
Triple X Syndrome occurs in 1 in 1000 girls.
It is NOT inherited.
The majority are never diagnosed.
Some have XX cells and XXX cells. This is called a mosaic.
Observable physical anomalies: rare except for 'taller than average and sisters'.
So few XXX females are identified that effects are not easily identified and samples may not be significant: characteristics may include:-
No effects or extremely mild
Stature - tall (accelerated growth to puberty), small head, epicanthic (eyelid) folds, speech learning difficulties (dyslexia)
Potential risks:-
Auditory processing disorders, delayed language development, motor co-ordination problems, scoliosis
Poor school academic performance, psychological and personality problems
Early ovarian failure, despite normal fertility
Anxiety, shyness and low self-esteem
Benificial aids:
Stable and happy home environment
Leaving school
Physical tests:
blood test confirms XXX, EEG abnormalities

I will perhaps write at length about the sorry affair of this week's meeting of interested and totally bored and dis-interested professionals in Caerdydd, our 'Welsh' supposed Capital city, once I have time to talk to Trans survivors of this solely box-ticking exercise.
Suffice it to say that GIC professional simply 'lost the plot', other Medical professionals (who all appeared to be bigotted General Practitioners) lost no time in sneering at the assembled domestic livestock herded into the 'Cattle Auction' (a handful of sadly hopeful Trans-women and one -man).
Our leaders presumably had wind of the antagonistic attitude to our community. I was asked to attend in order to provide a Trans Medical presence and balanced view-point.
My Curriculum Vitae includes:
Professor of Surgery
Chair, Speciality Advisory Committee
Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medicine
Chair, Regional Speciality Training Committee
Regional Training Director
Royal College Regional Advisor, Council member, Examiner, etc.
I suspect that I recently missed a phonecall from one of our leading representatives on Govt comittees to attend. I had, however, already resisted invitations; as I thought that the meeting would be a total waste of time. I did not realise that the GPs were of my generation. Psychiatry was 2 weeks of mornings in training; and, if you could be bothered to read the text-books - well! All such weighty tomes were written by expatriate Austro-Hungarrians fleeing from the Nazis. Each and every one stated emphatically that what we currently call Gender Dysphoria was "A severe Psychotic Mental Illness, always associated with Paedophilia, requiring immediate 'sectioning' under the auspices of the Mental Health Act for the statuary 28 days: thereafter transfer to a secure Mental Asylum for appropriate treatment over a minimum period of 2 years (twice weekly Electro-Convulsive Therapy covered by intra-muscular Sodium Pentothal. Ms April Ashley OBE received this 'treatment' in its entitity'.
The 'Death-camp' Psychiatrists with their mis-guided psycho-analsis based 'philosophy' are thankfully long gone. However, this meaningless exercise has demonstrated that their non-Psychiatrist off-spring are institutionally antagonistic and would benefit from re-training. The GPs and their bigotted acolytes seemingly enjoyed Trans-baiting' and added insult to injury by repeatedly referring to "YOU TRANS pause, long pause PEOPLE!
I am a gentle and (hopefully) charming lady, not given to any form of violence. The reason I declined to attend is simply that I did not want to descend to their level and that of their North Carolina Governor "chum".
R.I.P. the proposed Welsh GIC: R.I.P Charing Cross GIC

I will perhaps write at length about the sorry affair of this week's meeting of interested and totally bored and dis-interested professionals in Caerdydd, our 'Welsh' supposed Capital city, once I have time to talk to Trans survivors of this solely box-ticking exercise.
Suffice it to say that GIC professional simply 'lost the plot', other Medical professionals (who all appeared to be bigotted General Practitioners) lost no time in sneering at the assembled domestic livestock herded into the 'Cattle Auction' (a handful of sadly hopeful Trans-women and one -man).
Our leaders presumably had wind of the antagonistic attitude to our community. I was asked to attend in order to provide a Trans Medical presence and balanced view-point.
My Curriculum Vitae includes:
Professor of Surgery
Chair, Speciality Advisory Committee
Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medicine
Chair, Regional Speciality Training Committee
Regional Training Director
Royal College Regional Advisor, Council member, Examiner, etc.
I suspect that I recently missed a phonecall from one of our leading representatives on Govt comittees to attend. I had, however, already resisted invitations; as I thought that the meeting would be a total waste of time. I did not realise that the GPs were of my generation. Psychiatry was 2 weeks of mornings in training; and, if you could be bothered to read the text-books - well! All such weighty tomes were written by expatriate Austro-Hungarrians fleeing from the Nazis. Each and every one stated emphatically that what we currently call Gender Dysphoria was "A severe Psychotic Mental Illness, always associated with Paedophilia, requiring immediate 'sectioning' under the auspices of the Mental Health Act for the statuary 28 days: thereafter transfer to a secure Mental Asylum for appropriate treatment over a minimum period of 2 years (twice weekly Electro-Convulsive Therapy covered by intra-muscular Sodium Pentothal. Ms April Ashley OBE received this 'treatment' in its entitity'.
The 'Death-camp' Psychiatrists with their mis-guided psycho-analsis based 'philosophy' are thankfully long gone. However, this meaningless exercise has demonstrated that their non-Psychiatrist off-spring are institutionally antagonistic and would benefit from re-training. The GPs and their bigotted acolytes seemingly enjoyed Trans-baiting' and added insult to injury by repeatedly referring to "YOU TRANS pause, long pause PEOPLE!
I am a gentle and (hopefully) charming lady, not given to any form of violence. The reason I declined to attend is simply that I did not want to descend to their level and that of their North Carolina Governor "chum".
R.I.P. the proposed Welsh GIC: R.I.P Charing Cross GIC

Chatting to several Trustees of 'Sparkle' 2017 in Manchester's Gay Village, prior to the initial meeting for the event, I mentioned that I had just seen and appreciated an appropriately dressed, older, smart and elegant business-woman on her way to Piccadilly Station. At that moment, in the rush hour crowd, an equally smart business-man, walking next to me, turned to his female colleague and said "Look, a drag queen, mind you we are on the edge otf their Gay Village". The young woman said "Welcome to the 20th Century, she is what you should now call a Trans-woman with appropriate, excellent make up, expensive wig, etc. I think she's lovely, and I prefer to call her a woman". He looked at me, somewhat 'confused', and I smiled as one does to a small child.

Chatting to several Trustees of 'Sparkle' 2017 in Manchester's Gay Village, prior to the initial meeting for the event, I mentioned that I had just seen and appreciated an appropriately dressed, older, smart and elegant business-woman on her way to Piccadilly Station. At that moment, in the rush hour crowd, an equally smart business-man, walking next to me, turned to his female colleague and said "Look, a drag queen, mind you we are on the edge otf their Gay Village". The young woman said "Welcome to the 20th Century, she is what you should now call a Trans-woman with appropriate, excellent make up, expensive wig, etc. I think she's lovely, and I prefer to call her a woman". He looked at me, somewhat 'confused', and I smiled as one does to a small child.

The waiting-times for Gender Identity Clinic referrals in England and Wales continue to soar: first appointments in Exeter and Nottingham are well over a year (up from 3 months just 2 years ago): Leeds, Sheffield and London more like 3 years: the legal team in the West Midlands have advised the Clinic not to release figures; and, if you are not fortunate enough to be a Northumberland Area resident, 12 and a 1/2 years in Newcastle (so much for 'Patient Choice').
It is no surprise that Trans people and their parents or guardians are tempted to 'self-medicate' and to obtain supplies claimed to be 'sex-hormones, on the Internet.
Those who appreciate the dangers of this 'interim' therapy may well go for telephone consultations with a qualified Medical Practitioner; and think this course is the safer choice.
Trans people are vulnerable, frequently confused and exposed, leading to inevitable potential financial exploitation. A classic example of this was the business career of the charming and late Mrs Booth ( Ms Lloyd), who set up exorbitantly expensive shops (first in Prestwich, Manchester) targeting the Trans community; and, later, the now collapsed Llangollen Hotels targetting the LGBT community. I visited her Prestwich shop in 1988, and fell in love with a dress at £50.00: not only could I never afford it, but I found exactly the same dress with an identical label in a Bolton shop the next week.....price? £10.00 !!!
My personal opinion is that a doctor prescribing hormones to 12 years olds, and the parent or guardian, are exposed and open to legal action by the individual, once they reach the age of informed consent.
It is likely that any doctor willing to treat Trans individuals without prior communication with their General Practitioner and sight of their medical history and medication is placing themselves at risk of General Medical Council scrutiny at the least. This is compounded by (personal reports from Trans-women frends) one well-known doctor in the UK is failing in their duty to obtain base-line blood tests (to include sex-hormones anf Liver Function Tests), prior to initiating therapy. The same doctor appears not to undertake the necessary repeat tests after eight weeks of treatment and repeat tests six monthly to dose-titrate the therapy.
Complaints have apparently been received by the GMC: who have just issued interim guide-lines to medical practitioners for 'Telephone Consultations'; and,commenced a consultation document in order to provide final guide-lines in the essential interests of 'Patient Safety'.
In the meantime, my sisters: "Beware of Strangers bearing Gifts" !

The waiting-times for Gender Identity Clinic referrals in England and Wales continue to soar: first appointments in Exeter and Nottingham are well over a year (up from 3 months just 2 years ago): Leeds, Sheffield and London more like 3 years: the legal team in the West Midlands have advised the Clinic not to release figures; and, if you are not fortunate enough to be a Northumberland Area resident, 12 and a 1/2 years in Newcastle (so much for 'Patient Choice').
It is no surprise that Trans people and their parents or guardians are tempted to 'self-medicate' and to obtain supplies claimed to be 'sex-hormones, on the Internet.
Those who appreciate the dangers of this 'interim' therapy may well go for telephone consultations with a qualified Medical Practitioner; and think this course is the safer choice.
Trans people are vulnerable, frequently confused and exposed, leading to inevitable potential financial exploitation. A classic example of this was the business career of the charming and late Mrs Booth ( Ms Lloyd), who set up exorbitantly expensive shops (first in Prestwich, Manchester) targeting the Trans community; and, later, the now collapsed Llangollen Hotels targetting the LGBT community. I visited her Prestwich shop in 1988, and fell in love with a dress at £50.00: not only could I never afford it, but I found exactly the same dress with an identical label in a Bolton shop the next week.....price? £10.00 !!!
My personal opinion is that a doctor prescribing hormones to 12 years olds, and the parent or guardian, are exposed and open to legal action by the individual, once they reach the age of informed consent.
It is likely that any doctor willing to treat Trans individuals without prior communication with their General Practitioner and sight of their medical history and medication is placing themselves at risk of General Medical Council scrutiny at the least. This is compounded by (personal reports from Trans-women frends) one well-known doctor in the UK is failing in their duty to obtain base-line blood tests (to include sex-hormones anf Liver Function Tests), prior to initiating therapy. The same doctor appears not to undertake the necessary repeat tests after eight weeks of treatment and repeat tests six monthly to dose-titrate the therapy.
Complaints have apparently been received by the GMC: who have just issued interim guide-lines to medical practitioners for 'Telephone Consultations'; and,commenced a consultation document in order to provide final guide-lines in the essential interests of 'Patient Safety'.
In the meantime, my sisters: "Beware of Strangers bearing Gifts" !

Where I ever concocted the naive and simplistic idea that those Trans people who end up attracted to the opposite and their birth sex must be Bisexual, I have no idea. I married again, after the death of my first wife; and, the relationship was as good as it gets until my obligation to Transition clicked in.
One of the other two girls on our South Coast break, a fortnight ago, became sufficiently unwell to be considered for hospital admission from Casualty. We arrived with her 'things' and plans regarding disposal of her car her car.
In Casualty, we were allowed in behind the curtains to sit and to talk with her. Swiftly shood out by the nurse, prior to the return of the doctor with her blood results; we stood in the corridor as a god-like adonis passed by. Open-mouthed we both simply swooned. The nurses called us back in: she was to be discharged, with a prescription, as the blood tests were satisfactory, she informed us.
Her next remark concerned her 'falling in love with the doctor': you should have seen him, she stated! We informed her that we both had done so, and we were also in love. Her reply: "I saw him first, so he's mine!'
After nearly two years on hormones, I have started to notice attractive men: I would have put money on that "Never, ever happening" to me.

Where I ever concocted the naive and simplistic idea that those Trans people who end up attracted to the opposite and their birth sex must be Bisexual, I have no idea. I married again, after the death of my first wife; and, the relationship was as good as it gets until my obligation to Transition clicked in.
One of the other two girls on our South Coast break, a fortnight ago, became sufficiently unwell to be considered for hospital admission from Casualty. We arrived with her 'things' and plans regarding disposal of her car her car.
In Casualty, we were allowed in behind the curtains to sit and to talk with her. Swiftly shood out by the nurse, prior to the return of the doctor with her blood results; we stood in the corridor as a god-like adonis passed by. Open-mouthed we both simply swooned. The nurses called us back in: she was to be discharged, with a prescription, as the blood tests were satisfactory, she informed us.
Her next remark concerned her 'falling in love with the doctor': you should have seen him, she stated! We informed her that we both had done so, and we were also in love. Her reply: "I saw him first, so he's mine!'
After nearly two years on hormones, I have started to notice attractive men: I would have put money on that "Never, ever happening" to me.